“Voices of Montana” had an interview with Bob Rowe, the CEO of Northwestern Energy, a couple of days ago. “Voices of Montana” is a statewide radio talk show broadcast on KJJR, Kalispell, and also available by streaming on computer.
Mr. Rowe noted that Northwestern Energy uses hydroelectric, solar, wind energy as well as coal power. Missoula Electric Cooperative also uses all these sources for power.
He stated that last Thanksgiving, while it was so cold and stormy in the Northwest, all these sources of energy were being used to capacity, including 98 percent of Colstrip’s power capability.
Now think about this scenario WITHOUT coal power. We would certainly be facing widespread brownouts, with manufacturing shutdowns, lack of electricity for heating and cooking, and the list goes on.
To replace the power generated from Colstrip with solar power, we would need a 20 SQUARE MILE array of solar panels. Probably more in Montana where the sun doesn’t shine in the winter.
We have a small solar panel fence charger. In winter, it is covered with snow. Does someone have to go out and brush the snow off of 20 square miles of solar panels?
I applaud the work of Missoula Electric Coop and others to provide the solar arrays that customers can buy into without having to erect solar panels on their homes and properties. It is a good start on making solar more available and affordable. However, I don’t think we are at the point yet where we can eliminate coal as an inexpensive, reliable source of energy.
The Clean Power Plan (CPP) proposed by the US Environment Protection Agency (EPA) would force Montana to cut carbon emissions by 49 percent – more than any other state! It’s not that we produce more carbon than any other state. It’s that the CPP is dedicated to shutting down Colstrip and other coal-fired power plants and without consideration of the people living here.
Perhaps someday in the future we will be able to generate the power we need from alternative sources but we are not there yet—not by a long shot.
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